Self Discipline and Grit

I, and most everybody I know, dislike the phrase "Work hard, play hard(er)." The image that phrase creates in my mind is one of a person who is obsessed with "bro culture." It isn't something many adults want to be associated with, though I think the idea of remaining focused and trying your hardest is something that should be celebrated.

A few months back, when the election was nearing in the U.S., I was emotionally drained - which led to me being physically drained, as well. I was only functioning at about 50% capacity. My motivation was drained.

During that struggle with motivation, I thought a lot about the idea of "grit." I'm not sure how most people would define grit, but I think about it in terms of never giving up and getting that extra one percent out of everything you do - while you're doing something, making the most of every second. If you don't feel like you can take another step, can you push yourself to do it?

A lot of this relates with the idea of "living in the moment." I've made an effort to grow the habit of giving it my all in whatever I'm doing. If I'm playing with my child, I'll keep my phone away from me and give him my full attention. If I'm sitting at my desk working, I'm going to get as much done as physically possible, because it's just a waste of time to sit there giving it your half. When you only have 30 minutes to get a workout in - and you are all-in during those 30 minutes, you feel amazing at the end of it. And, on the flip side, if you just kind of look at your phone and do a few sets, you still feel kind of dumpy.

There was an example in James Clear's book, Atomic Habits, where he mentions a person who had a lot of success in weight loss by asking herself, "What would a healthy person do?" I've spent the last few months implementing that into my life in regards to my ability to be "gritty."

The main takeaway I have learned over these last few months is that I no longer can do something that would go against what that "ideal" person would do - as long as I ask myself that very important question of what they would do. Maybe it is me being stubborn or maybe prideful, but I can't bare to fail after telling myself exactly what I *should* do.

Some questions I ask myself daily now:

Is that what a healthy person would do? Is that what a gritty person would do?

Is that what a kind person would do?

Is that what Derek from Shrinking would do?

It can take a while for a habit to form, but I feel like I'm getting closer to asking myself those questions without having to force myself to, and it has been fun seeing the results.